Former Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has claimed Liberal Democrats are “plotting” to help Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn enter Downing Street after two of the party’s biggest names backed “tactical” voting.

Sarah Olney, who defeated Goldmsith at last year’s Richmond Park by-election, and former MP Vince Cable, were caught on tape telling party members they should vote Labour in seats where it could help stop the Conservatives.

In the recording, the pair say they would be happy for Labour’s Rupa Huq to retain her Ealing seat in which she has a majority of just 274.

Cable is hoping to regain his Twickenham seat at next month’s general election while Olney is fighting off a challenge from Goldsmith who hopes to retake the seat he lost just seven months ago.

The recording could prove embarrassing for Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron who has repeatedly denied his party would support a Corbyn government or enter what Tories have attempted to portray as a “coalition of chaos” with other anti-Tory parties.

Commenting on the recording, Goldsmith said: “As usual with the LibDems, what they say publicly is completely at odds with what they say and do in private.

“Having publicly said they wouldn’t do a deal with Jeremy Corbyn, it’s now clear they are actually plotting to help him succeed.”